The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-04-01
The Egis & Intelligencer
Bel Air, Nd, April 1, 1887.
For Tie Hgis and ht,MgeHcsr.
JIM ADAMS.


Jim Adams was the widest boy In town;
a harum-scarum, ne'er-do-well was he;
AS Elder Jones remarked, with angry frown,
That fruit is ripening for the gallows-tree.,"
RobbDg his orchard and his garden, too,
And more than once, sad havoc he had made
Where the Elder finest watermelons grew.
And many others, too. had felt his power
For mischief. and, singing meath the smart,
AT irst were angry, but in milder hour
Repentc1, said the boy is good at heart
For good and evil strangely he combined.
His tongue was always free with Jest and song,
But thought it fun to vex the rich and strong.
To cap the Climax, on mOOnleSs night,
When those who feared the Lord were snug in
bed,
In Elder Jones's garden rose a sight
10 make the hair stand upright on your head.
mammoth pumpkin had been growing there,
"a hundred pounds, or more, 1t might have
Intended, at the coming county fair
To take the prize, when 1t should be displayed.
Oh, Elder Jones alas for all thy plans
This night thy pumpkin is required of thee,
Jim Adams now caryes out with cunning hands
a terrifying object, true, TO see.
Two glaring eyes blaze out as If in wrath,
Its nostrils CLEAN as though 'twere breathing
fire,
A sight, when placed close by the garden path
To rouse the Elders terror, ana his ire.
| The spectre finish' d, with fearful yell
Jim Adams vanished DER the garden wall
The Elders household rushed down stairs, pcli-
nell,
To see what made that wild, unearthly call.
IoIiOT, NJ uIst, dLlhEeulCHl, anu lHGu TdRc
| Prevented Jones from saying e'er a word.
| But when they tried his anger 10 assuage
In hoarse and stitied tones his voice was heard.
| The Elder swore, but not with vulgar oath,
But with uplifted hand he promised heaven
| To spend his life or fortune, one or both,
That punishment to Adams should be given.
Next day the Elder, plotting vengeance STILL
while getting i'll his second crop of hay
| Heard fearful screams resounding Ger the hill
Where he had left his youngest child at lay.
| With strides gigantic to the place he HES
Wondering what evil can his child betide,
And there jim Adams on the ground he spies,
The Elders darling kneeiing by his side.
Aha you scamp What mischief is 1t now
That you've been up to? But the child's voice
said
Don't scold him, papa. See that horrid COW,
He saved me, and poor Jimmie, he is dead"
With wondering eyes the elder looked around
And finally the truth upon him broke;
His darling safe, her savior on the ground,
The Wei ius beast killed by lucky stroke.
Then by the wounded boy he knet and said,
LOOK upand speak my boy, have no more fear.
Are you nuch hurti" jim slowly turned his head;
Il m done for, Elder, my last hour is here"
"Oh Jim, Jim Adams, let me pray for thee,
That all thy many sins may be forgiven,
That grace may flow and thy black heart may be
Made pure and clean, and fit TO enter heaven"
do you forgive me, Elder?" yes" "Then stop,
Our Lord has not as hard heart as you,
You see the Lord and me has made il up,
III you forgive, know the Lord will too"
But, stranger, mourn not Jims untimely end
For his appointed hour had not yet come.
Kind hands were ready, willing aid to lend,
And so the Elder bore Jim Adams home.
Here all that care and all that money, too,
Could do. were done for him and fortune smiled.
Jim Adams grew and prospered This way, Lou,
My wife sir, Elder Jones's youngest child"